Filter device

ABSTRACT

An engagement member, which is detachably securable to the liquid outlet nipple of a filter receiving fitting, is movably carried by a filter housing which also carries an annular seal which resides against the sealing surface of the fitting. An actuating rod extending from the engagement means is received at one end of a lever which is pivotally secured to the housing. In response to movement of the lever, the housing moves relative the engagement member and the seal is separated from the sealing surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to filters.

More particularly, the present invention relates to filters of the typefor removing contaminates from circulating liquid such as thelubricating system of an internal combustion engine.

In a further and more specific aspect, the immediate invention concernsan improved filter device which is readily removable from the filterreceiving fitting.

2. The Prior Art

The desirability of installing a filter in certain liquid circulationsystems is well established. Exemplary is the lubricating system of aninternal combustion engine. As a result of normal functioning, andgreatly increased under adverse operating conditions, variouscontaminates become entrained in the lubricating oil. Removal of foreignmaterial is mandatory to prevent accelerated wear and damage to themechanism.

The contemporary filter particularly adapted for use in connection withsystems of the above type is usually in the form of a self-contained anddisposable unit. While commercially available in an array of specificconfigurations, the typical filter includes a relatively thin walled,cylindrical housing having a closed end and an open end. Carried at theopen end are axially located engagement means, generally an internallythreaded bore, and a coaxial annular seal. Filter medium, such asfibrous material, reside within the housing.

For detachable securement of the filter, the circulation system isprovided with a filter-receiving fitting. Commonly, the fitting includesa liquid .[.outlet.]. .Iadd.inlet .Iaddend.nipple and a coaxial sealingsurface which receive the engagement means and the annular seal,respectively, of the filter. Accordingly, liquid enters the filter from.[.the nipple.]. .Iadd.openings intermediate the nipple and the sealingsurface, .Iaddend.passes through the filter medium and returns through.[.openings intermediate.]. the nipple .[.and the sealing surface.]..

In response to securement of the engagement means of the nipple, theseal is urged against the sealing surface. Only slight force is requiredfor an effective liquid-tight seal. Sufficient torque is easilygenerated manually. Removal, however, can be exceedingly troublesome andlaborious. Sediment, and other factors, tend to cause the seal to adhereto the sealing surface. Frequently, the bond can be of sufficientstrength to render the seal immovable against the surface with therotational force which can be generated manually. Special tools havebeen developed for the generation of additional torque. Nevertheless,the application of additional torque is likely to result in rupturingthe housing.

Oftentimes a special removal tool is not available. This is especiallytrue in the case of the do-it-yourselfer or home handyman. Therefore,the procedure is accomplished with make shift tools which are even morelikely to destroy the integrity of the housing. In either case, ruptureof the housing results in an unsightly spill of liquid whichnecessitates additional laborious effort for clean-up. The fact that thefilter may reside in a limited access location further complicates theproblem.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing andother deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved filter device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improvements tofilters of the type commonly used in connection with liquid circulationsystems.

And another object of the invention is to provide improvements tofilters of the type which include an annular seal and which isrotationally securable to a filter-receiving fitting.

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision ofimprovements to facilitate removal of a filter from a filter-receivingfitting.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for easilysevering a bond between a seal and a sealing surface.

Yet still another object of this invention is the provision of a filterdevice which is readily and conveniently removable without the necessityof tools or special skills.

And a further object of the invention is to provide improvements topreserve the integrity of the filter housing during removal.

Yet a further object of the immediate invention is the provision ofimprovements which are especially adapted to be incorporated intoconventional filters.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide improvements formanual release of a filter without unduly encumbering the device.

And still a further object of the invention are improvements, accordingto the foregoing, which can be simply and economically practiced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The conventional prior art filter device includes a hollow housinghaving an open end and a closed end and containing filter medium.Engagement means and a coaxial annular seal are carried proximate theopen end of the housing. The filter device is especially adapted for usein combination with a liquid circulation system having a filterreceiving fitting which includes a liquid .[.outlet.]. .Iadd.inlet.Iaddend.nipple, a coaxial sealing surface and a liquid .[.return.]..Iadd.outlet .Iaddend.opening intermediate the nipple and the sealingsurface. In response to securement of the engagement means with thenipple, the seal is received against the sealing surface. The instantinvention provides improvements for facilitating removal of the filterdevice from the fitting. Briefly, the improvements include first meansmoveably coupling the engagement means to the housing and second meansfor selectively moving the housing relative the engagement means forseparating the seal member from the sealing surface.

In a further embodiment, the engagement means are telescopingly coupledto the housing for relative linear movement along an axis which isparallel to the longitudinal axis of the nipple. Also provided are drivemeans interacting between the housing and the engagement means wherebythe engagement means are rotatable in response to rotation of thehousing. The second means includes release means normally residing in afirst position in which the seal member resides in sealing engagementwith a sealing surface and which is movable to a second position inwhich the seal member is spaced from the sealing surface. Furtherprovided are retention means for retaining the release means in thefirst position.

More specifically, the release means may be in the form of a leverpivotally carried by the housing and an actuating member interconnectingthe lever with the engagement means. The lever normally resides in aretracted position and is movable to an extended position wherein theseal member is separated from the sealing surface. A recess may beformed into the housing for at least partially receiving the levertherein in the retracted position.

In an even more specific embodiment, the first means includes a socketcarried by the housing and an engagement member carrying the engagementmeans and telescopingly residing within the socket. The second meansincludes a lever pivotally carried by the housing and an actuatingmember interconnecting the lever with the engagement member for movingthe engagement member in a direction toward the open end of the housingas the lever is moved toward the extended position. Preferably, thelever includes a first end moveably coupled to the actuating member anda second end having integral hand grip means. Means intermediate theends pivotally secure the lever to the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages ofthe instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsthereof taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a filter device incorporatingimprovements according to the instant invention, portions thereof beingbroken away for purposes of illustration:

FIG. 2A is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken from the upperright hand portion of FIG. 1 and showing the release means in greaterdetail as it would appear in the retracted position;

FIG. 2B is a view generally similar to the illustration of FIG. 2A andshowing the release means as it would appear during initial movement ina direction toward the extended position;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line 4--4 of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged horizontal fragmentary view taken along the line5--5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of another filterdevice incorporating the teachings of the instant invention andespecially illustrating alternate release means as it would appear inthe retracted position;

FIG. 6B is a view generally similar to the view of FIG. 6A andespecially illustrating the release means after having been moved intothe extended position;

FIG. 7A is a fragmentary perspective view of an end portion of yetanother embodiment of the instant invention illustrating yet anotheralternately preferred release means as it would appear in the retractedposition;

FIG. 7B is a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 7A and showing therelease means thereof during initial movement to the extended position;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the filter device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a view generally corresponding to the view of FIG. 7A andillustrating yet another alternately preferred release means as it wouldappear in the retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 which illustrates a filter device incorporating theimprovements of the instant invention and including a hollow housing,generally designated by the reference character 20, having cylindricalsidewall 22 closed at one end by domed endwall 23. The other end 24, asseen with further reference to FIG. 8, is open. Inturned annular flange25 supports annular seal 27. Spider or spoked brace 28, carriedproximate the open end of sidewall 22, supports centrally locatedcoaxial tubular member 29 having openings 30. Folder medium 32, such asa fibrous material, resides within housing 20.

Within the confines of the foregoing description, the improved filterdevice of the instant invention is analogous to and shares componentswith conventional commercially available filter devices. The foregoingis set forth for purposes of orientation and understanding in connectionwith the ensuing detailed description of the improvements of the instantinvention. Details not specifically illustrated and described will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also beappreciated by those skilled in the art that detachment means, usuallyan internally threaded bore, is carried by the spoked brace at a centrallocation which is coaxial with the cylindrical sidewall 22 of housing20.

Filters of the above type are especially adapted for use in removingcontaminates from liquid in a liquid circulation system. Exemplary isthe oil of the lubricating system of a conventional internal combustionengine. Such circulation systems are provided with a filter receivingfitting to which the device is removably secured. For further purposesof orientation and reference, an exemplary filter receiving fitting isshown in FIG. 1 by the broken outline generally designated by thereference character 35. Typically, filter receiving fitting 35 includesannular sealing surface 37 and perpendicularly extending coaxial nipple38. The nipple 38 carries engagement receiving means such as an externalthread, for securement of the engagement means of the filter. Inresponse to engagement of the engagement means of the filter withengagement receiving means of the nipple, seal 27 is brought intosealing engagement with sealing surface 37. The liquid to be treatedenters the filter through .[.nipple 38.]. .Iadd.the openings 39 as.Iaddend.indicated by the arrowed line .[.A.]. .Iadd.B.Iaddend.andreturn through the .[.opening 39.]. .Iadd.nipple 38.Iaddend..[.intermediate nipple 38 and sealing surface 37.]. asindicated by the arrowed line .[.B.]. .Iadd.A.Iaddend.. Again, athorough and complete understanding will be immediately had by thoseskilled in the art.

The improvements of the instant invention, in accordance with apreferred embodiment thereof as seen with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8,include an engagement member, generally designated by the referencecharacter 40 having outer sidewall 42 and threaded bore 43. Engagementmember 40 further includes spider bracket 44, of which furtherdescription will be made presently. Socket 45 terminating with shoulder47 is formed into tubular member 29 from the open end of housing 20.

Engagement member 40 is telescopingly movable within socket 45 along anaxis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of nipple38 which is indicated by the broken line C. Engagement member 40 is alsodrivingly engaged with socket 45 such that rotation of housing 20results in concurrent rotation of engagement member 40. For thispurpose, outer sidewall 42 and socket 45 have mating hexagonalcross-sections as specifically illustrated in FIG. 8. Alternatestructure for achieving the desired results will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, outer sidewall 42 and socket 45 may becylindrical and drivingly engaged by means of a key carried by one ofthe elements and a key receiving groove carried by the other.

Tubular guide 48 carrying annular seal 49, such as a convention O-ring,extends into housing 20 from domed endwall 23 as best seen withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2A. Preferably, tubular guide 48 extends alongthe axis. Recess 50, as seen with additional reference to FIG. 3, isformed into domed endwall 23 to extend substantially radially outwardfrom tubular guide 48. Recess 50 is pressed into endwall 23 to form apair of spaced apart sidewalls 52 and 53. Lever 54 having inner end 55and outer end 57 is pivotally affixed to housing 20 by pin 58 carried bysidewalls 52 and 53. Preferably, lever 54 is in the form of a generallyU-shaped stamping having depending tabs 59 through which pin 58 passes.

Actuating rod 60 extends through tubular guide 48 and is in fluid-tightengagement with the seal 49. Actuating rod 60 extends from a lower end62 which is secured to spider bracket 44 to an upper end 63 which ispivotally affixed to the inner end 55 of lever 54 as seen with furtherreference to FIG. 4. To allow for relative of movement between themembers lever 54 is provided with elongate slot 65 which receives pin64.

FIG. 2A illustrates lever 54 as it would appear in the normal orretracted position wherein outer end 57 lies in closs proximity to thesurface of recess 50 and inner end 55 is spaced from endwall 23.Retention member 67 spans recess 50 over lever 54 and normally retrainlever 54 in the retracted position. Retention member 67 may takealternate forms such as a flexible sheet member which is adhesivelysecured to the surface of endwall 23 or a thin metallic member which isbonded, as by spot welding, to the surface of endwall 23. In eithercase, retention member 67 is manually removable preferably in responseto manually urged movement of outer end 57 in a direction away fromrecess 50.

Outer end 57 of lever 54, which is preferably upwardly curved, functionsas hand grip means to facilitate lifting and pivoting member 54 aboutpin 58 as indicated by the arcuate arrowed line D in FIG. 2B. Inresponse thereto, inner end 55 moves in the direction indicated by thearcuate arrowed line E. As is obvious, acutating rod 60 is stationaryand immovable. Accordingly, housing 20 is lifted, by pin 58, in thedirection indicated by the arrowed line F. The movement of housing 20separates annular seal 27 from sealing surface 37. The manual pressureapplied to lever 54 is sufficient to overcome the bonding action betweenseal 27 and surface 37 as the result of sediment, heat or other factorsWith the seal thus broken housing 27 is easily manually rotated fordisengagement of engagement member 40 from nipple 38.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 which illustrates an alternateembodiment of the invention including housing 70 having endwall 72 andfurther including actuating rod 73. Endwall 72 is generally analogous topreviously described endwall 23 except for the inclusion of recess 50.Similarly, actuating rod 73 is analogous to previously describedactuating rod 60 except that the upper end 74 is terminated by asubstantially planar surface. An understanding of further structure notspecifically illustrated can be had with reference to the previouslydescribed embodiment.

Shown in the retracted position is lever 75 having inner end 77 andouter end 78. Ear 79 projects upwardly from surface 72 at anintermediate location along the length of lever 75. Link 80 is pivotallyconnected to ear 79 by pin 82 and to lever 75 by pin 83. It is notedthat the location of pin 83 is outboard of the location of pin 82. Bail84 is pivotally carried by a second ear 85 upstanding from surface 72proximate the outer end 78 of lever 75. Bail 84 engages and retainslever 75 in the retracted position. Arcuate camming surface 87 bearsagainst the end 74 of actuating rod 73.

In preparation for removal of the immediate embodiment of the filterdevice from the filter receiving fitting, bail 84, which acts as aretention element, is first removed from the lever 75 in response tooutboard actuate movement as indicated by the arcuate arrowed line G.End 78 of lever 75 is then manually lifted in a direction indicated bythe arcuate arrowed line H urging lever 75 into the extended position asseen in FIG. 6B. During the movement of lever 75, surface 87 of lever 75cammingly moves against the surface 75 of actuating rod 73.Concurrently, force transmitted through link 80 lifts housing 70 in thedirection indicated by the arrowed line I. Accordingly, seal 27 isseparated from surface 37 and the removal of the filter device continuesas previously described.

A further embodiment of the immediate invention will now be describedwith reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. Similar to the previously describedembodiments, the immediate embodiment includes a hollow housing,generally designated by the reference character 90 having cylindricalsidewall 92 and a closed end defined by domed endwall 93. The immediateembodiment also includes previously described actuating rod 73 havingupper end surface 74. For aspects of the immediate embodiment notspecifically illustrated and described, with the exception of thedetailed description below, reference is made to the previousembodiments.

Recess 94 is formed into endwall 93 to extend generally radiallyoutward. A pair of opposed tabs 95 project upwardly from surface 93 atan intermediate location along the length of recess 94. A tab 95 resideson either side of recess 94. Lever 97 having inner end 98 and outer end99 passes between and is pivotally to tabs 95 by pin 100. Arcuatecamming surface 102, carried on inner end 98, bears against end 74 ofactuating rod 73. Finger ring 103 is carried at outer end 99. Retentionmember 67, previously described, retains lever 97 in the retractedposition as illustrated in FIG. 7A. To move lever 97 to the extendedposition to separate seal 27 from surface 37, retention member 67 isfractured or removed and outer end 99 lifted, by finger ring 103, in thedirection indicated by the arrowed line J. In response to the movementof lever 97, housing 90 moves in a direction indicated by the arrowedline K as previously described, especially in connection with theembodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 wherein there is seen an alternate leverstructure which for purposes of illustration is shown in combinationwith a housing generally designated by the reference character 110having domed endwall 112. In accordance with the immediately preferred,there is provided a lever 113 having inboard end 114 and outboard end115. T-bar 117, the functional equivalent of finger ring 103, extendsperpendicularly through lever 113 proximate end 115. In the retractedposition as shown, lever 113 resides entirely within recess 118 formedin endwall 112. Lever 113 is pivotally connected to endwall 112 by a pincarried by the sidewalls of recess 118 as previously described inconnection with the pin 58 specifically seen in FIG. 3 Although notspecifically illustrated, inner end 114 of lever 113 is provided with acamming surface such as previously described camming surface 87 and 102,for contact with the end 74 of actuating rod 73. As will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art, actuating rod 73 is somewhat shortened foruse in connection with the immediate embodiment wherein the leverresides entirely within the recess. For an understanding of structureand function not specifically illustrated, reference is made to thepreviously described embodiments.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen forpurposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art.To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of thefollowing claims.

Having fully described and disclosed the present invention, andalternately preferred embodiments thereof, in such clear and conciseterms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practicethe same, the invention claimed is:
 1. In a liquid filter device for usein combination with a filter-receiving fitting,which fitting includes aliquid .[.outlet.]. .Iadd.inlet .Iaddend.nipple, a coaxial sealingsurface, and a liquid .[.return.]. .Iadd.outlet .Iaddend.openingintermediate the nipple and the sealing surface, and which filter deviceincludes a hollow housing having an open end and a closed end andcontaining filter medium, engagement means detachably securable with thenipple, and a seal member carried by the housing proximate the open endand sealingly received against the sealing surface in response tosecurement of the engagement means with the nipple,improvements thereinfor facilitating removal of said filter device from said fitting, saidimprovements comprising: (a) first means moveably coupling saidengagement means to said housing; and (b) second means for selectivelymoving said housing relative said engagement means including releasemeans normally residing in a first position in which said seal memberresides in sealing engagement with said surface and moveably to a secondposition in which said seal member is spaced from said surface.
 2. Thefilter device of claim 1, which said second means further includesretention means for retaining said release means in the first means. 3.The filter device of claim 1, wherein said release means includes:(a) alever pivotally carried by said housing; said lever normally residing ina retracted position and selectively movable to an extended position;and (b) an actuating member interconnecting said lever with saidengagement means whereby said housing is moved relative said engagementmeans to separate said seal member from said surface in response tomovement of said lever to said extended position.
 4. The filter deviceof claim 3, wherein said second means further includes retention meansfor retaining said lever in said retracted position.
 5. The filterdevice of claim 3, further including a recess formed into said housingfor at least partially receiving said lever therein.
 6. In a liquidfilter device for use in combination with a filter-receivingfitting,which fitting includes a liquid .[.outlet.]. .Iadd.inlet.Iaddend.nipple, a coaxial sealing surface, and a liquid .[.return.]..Iadd.outlet .Iaddend.opening intermediate the nipple and the sealingsurface, and which filter device includes a hollow housing having anopen end and a closed end and containing filter medium, engagement meansdetachably securable with the nipple, and a seal member carried by thehousing proximate the open end and sealingly received against thesealing surface in response to securement of the engagement means withthe nipple,improvements therein for facilitating removal of said filterdevice from said fitting, said improvements comprising: (a) first meansmoveably coupling said engagement means to said housing for relativelinear movement between said engagement means and said housing along anaxis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said nipple; (b)drive means interacting between said housing and said engagement meanswhereby said engagement means is rotatable in response to rotation ofsaid housing; and (c) second means for selectively moving said housingrelative said engagement means whereby said seal member is separatedfrom said sealing surface.
 7. The filter device of claim 6, wherein saidengagement means is telescopingly carried by said housing.
 8. The filterdevice of claim 6, wherein said second means includes release meansnormally residing in a first position in which said seal member residesin sealing engagement with said surface and removable to a secondposition in which said seal member is spaced from said surface.
 9. Thefilter device of claim 8, which said second means further includesretention means for retaining said release means in the first means. 10.The filter device of claim 8, wherein said release means includes:(a) alever pivotally carried by said housing; which lever normally residingin a retracted position and selectively movable to an extended position;and (b) an actuating member interconnecting said lever with saidengagement means whereby said housing is moved relative said engagementmeans to separate said seal member from said surface in response tomovement of said lever to said extended position.
 11. The filter ofclaim 10, wherein said second means further includes retention means forretaining said lever in said retracted position.
 12. The filter deviceof claim 10, further including a recess formed into said housing for atleast partially receiving said lever therein.
 13. In a liquid filterdevice for use in combination with a filter-receiving fitting,whichfitting .[.invludes.]. .Iadd.includes .Iaddend.a liquid .[.outlet.]..Iadd.inlet .Iaddend.nipple, a coaxial sealing surface, and a liquid.[.return.]. .Iadd.outlet .Iaddend.opening intermediate the nipple andthe sealing surface, and which filter device includes a hollow housinghaving an open end and a closed end and containing filter medium,engagement means detachably securable with the nipple, and a seal membercarried by the housing proximate the open end and sealingly receivedagainst the sealing surface in response to securement of the engagementmeans with the nipple,improvements therein for facilitating removal ofsaid filter device from said fitting, said improvements comprising: (a)first means moveably coupling said engagement means to said housingincluding;(i) a socket carried by said housing, and (ii) an engagementmember carrying said engagement means telescopingly residing within saidsocket; and (b) second means for selectively moving said housingrelative said engagement means whereby said seal member in separatedfrom said sealing surface including:(i) a lever pivotally carried bysaid housing said lever normally in a retracted position and selectivelymovable to an extended position, (ii) an actuating memberinterconnecting said lever with said engagement member for moving saidengagement member in a direction toward the open end of said housing assaid lever is moved toward said extended position.
 14. The filter deviceof claim 13, wherein said lever includes:(a) a first end moveablycoupled to said actuating member; (b) a second end having integral handgrip means; and (c) means intermediate said end for pivotal securementto said housing.
 15. The filter device of claim 14, further includingretention means for retaining said lever in said retracted position.